Saturday, May 26, 2012

Despite intermittent thunder showers, fanciers slogged on at today’s Grand Rapids Kennel Club Show in Kalamazoo MI. Today’s show was the largest of the Apple Blossom Cluster attracting better than 1700 dogs, some taking advantage of the multiple specialties and supported entries.

Best went to Luke & Diane Ehricht’s latest protégé, the Shih Tzu, Willy. It’s the first for the three year old. We expect more will be on the way. Congratulations to breeders/owners/handlers Luke & Diane Ehricht.

Friday, May 25, 2012

We have nine all breed shows today and we will try to bring results to you tonight for as many as we can. In Freehold NJ it’s day two and it was the Monmouth County Kennel Club’s turn to host. They asked Barbara Dempsey Alderman to choose their Best In Show from the Pointer, GCH CH Marjetta In The Limelight JH, the Pharaoh Hound, DC Hallam's Ethan Ramel MC LCX, the Samoyed, GCH CH McMagic's Mojo, the Cairn Terrier, GCH CH Dogwood Treasure Hunter, the Miniature Pinscher, GCH CH Kimro's Dora The Explorer, the Dalmatian, GCH CH Spotlight's Ruffian, and the Rough Collie, GCH CH Devinwood A Perfect Strsnger. Her Best was the Pointer, Brian.

It’s the first BIS this year for AKC’s Number One Pointer. Congratulations to breeders Marjetta & Maribeth Andresen, owner Jeanne Deeming, and handler Dan Buchwald.

Challenging the Apple Blossom Cluster for the largest event this week is the Memorial Weekend Classic in New Castle PA. The Laurel Highlands Kennel Association opened the set and asked Fred Basset to choose the day one winner. The seven they sent to him were the Irish Setter, GCH CH Chamberlaynes Mutiny O'Captiva, the American Foxhound, GCH CH Kiarry’s Pandora’s Box, the Doberman Pinscher, GCH CH Protocol’s Veni Vidi Vici, the Kerry Blue Terrier, CH Dornick's El Capitan, the Papillon, GCH CH Fenice Le Beaudreaux, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Jaset’s Satisfaction, and the Australia Shepherd, GCH CH Equinox Ad Astra.

BIS went to the Aussie, Aster. It’s the first this year for Aster in eight final appearances. Congratulations to breeder/owner Courtney Bell and handler David Stout.

We are in Kalamazoo MI for the five show Apple Blossom Cluster. Today’s host was the Pontiac Kennel Club and they made the most of the shiny, newly refurbished Kalamazoo County expo Center. Also making the most of the opportunity were Vicki Abbot's final seven, the German Wirehaired Pointer, GCH CH Mt View’s Ripsnorter Silver Charm, the Basset Hound, GCH CH Topsfield-Sanchu Eeenie Meenie Miney Moe, the Kuvasz, GCH CH Szumeria’s Wildwood Silver Six Pence, a Smooth Fox Terrier from the Bred By Exhibitor class, J’Cobe Broxden Hampton Court Detroit Tiger, the Shih Tzu, GCH CH Hallmark Jolei Bells Will Be Ringing, the Bichon Frise, GCH CH Vogelflight’s Honor” to Pillowtalk, and the German Shepherd Dog, GCH CH Babheim’s Captain Crunch.

Her Best was the Nation’s Number One Dog All Breeds, the GWP, Oakley. Oakley and handler Phil Booth have thrown down the gauntlet with their 20th BIS of the year, the most by any dog this year. How many others in the Top Ten will take up the challenge?

The American Chinese Crested Club held it’s 2012 National Specialty in Primm NV this past weekend. Judge Patricia Franklin had the pleasure of going over 146 entries. At the end of the day her Best In specialty Show was GCH CH Crestline Butters Scotch. Additional awards included the Best of Opposite Sex-GCH CH Gingery's Sweet Tea, Winners Dog/Best of Winners/ Best Puppy- Kulana's Let's Have a Party, & Winners Bitch Stars At Sea Femme Fatale.

The five year old Butters is a multiple BISS winner. This is his first National Specialty win. Congratulations to breeder/owner/handler Mercedes Vila.

Monday, May 21, 2012

We have these result from Logan UT where the Mount Ogden Kennel Club gave us two shows this weekend. Saturday’s final found Neil Graves considering the Golden Retriever, GCH CH Sunny Ridge-Mariah’s Uptown Girl, the Saluki, CH Sudara’s Here Comes the Sun, the Boxer, GCH CH R and G’s Mystical Dancer, the American Staffordshire Terrier, GCH CH Alpine’s Higwayman, the Italian Greyhound, CH Voici Unforgettable Fire, the French Bulldog, CH Imperial Bella Ridges Shady Harbor Patrick Dempsey, and the Old English Sheepdog, Zottels Vivienne.

Best went to the Frenchie, Joker. It’s the second BIS for the 14 month old. We expect a lot of this one.

GCH CH Alpine’s Higwayman

Joker and the above named AmStaff would be back Sunday to see JoAnn Dutton. Rounding out her final were the German Shorthaired Pointer, GCH CH Country Wind Lord of the Manor JH, the 13” Beagle, GCH CH Bougain’e Naughty-N-Lovely Alvin, the Alaskan Malamute, GCH CH Alcan Come Snodance with Me, the Brussels Griffon, GCH CH Gruffel's Royal "G" Versace, and the Shetland Sheepdog, GCH CH Thunderhill’s Apple Bottom Jeans.

Her BIS was the AmStaff, Jelly. Jelly is taking dominating his breed this year with four BIS so far.

We had plenty of action out on the West Coast. In southern California fanciers could be found in Valley Center, 40 miles north of San Diego, where the Mt Palomar Kennel Club was camped for two days. Read about day one here.

Best went to the nine year old Papillon, Ragge. The Swedish born Ragge has won multiple all breed BIS in Japan and multiple BISS here in the US, but we believe this is his first AKC all breed Best In Show. Ragge has spent most of the past five years siring multiple champion get. We are delighted to see him back out in the show ring. Congratulations to breeder Ulla Hannis and owners Lorelei & Daniel Bayless, Don & Marilyn Bauer, & Brian Leonard.

We had four shows this week 80 miles east of us in Jackson TN with the Jackson Tennessee Dog Fanciers Association & the Clarksville Kennel Club. Making the most of the opportunity was the country’s Number One Dog All Breeds, German Wirehaired Pointer, GCH CH Mt View’s Ripsnorter Silver Charm, who copped two of the four BIS.

The first came on Thursday in William Cunningham’s final for the JTDFA. Oakley and handler Phil Booth were challenged by the Saluki, GCH CH Sandstorm Blue Nile Bubbles Of Jatara, the Standard Schnauzer, GCH CH Blackhawk Finnegans Wake, the Smooth Fox Terrier, GCH CH J’Cobe Broxden Danea, the Shih Tzu, Motowns Still In Da Game, the Bichon Frise, GCH CH Vogelflights Honor To Pillowtalk, and the Shetland Sheepdog, GCH CH Leeason Rock My Soul.

Her Best was the Corgi, Oscar. It’s the first for 17 month old Oscar. Congratulations to breeder/owner Deborah Shindle, co-breeder Mary Fine, co-owner Trish Panzarella, and handler Junior McDaniel.

GCH CH Marlex Classic Red Glare

Saturday was day two for the CKC who asked Michele Billings to make the final decision. Her seven options were the earlier finalists Oakley, the Saluki, Giant, Smooth Fox, MinPin, & Sheltie, and the Chinese Shar-Pei, GCH CH Chaoyang Bestofmy Love At Asia. She chose the country’s Number Five Dog All Breeds, the MinPin, Classie, as her Best. Classie’s 12th BIS of the year will keep her as the Number One Toy Dog.

Gloria Geringer closed the set for the JTDFA. The final final seven were the previously seen GWP, Saluki, Giant, Smooth Fox, MinPin, & Bichon, and the Old English Sheepdog, GCH CH Aryakas Hermes. Best went to AKC’s The GWP, Oakley. Oakley’s 18 BIS this year will keep him on top of the AKC leaders.

One of the surprises this weekend was the 13 month old Pug, CH Hill Country's Tag I'm It, who burst on the scene with a BACK2BACK BIS performance. It happened at the Wyoming Valley Kennel Club shows in Alexander NY.

On Saturday Tag & handler Barry Clothier were joined in Skip Stanbridge’s final by the English Setter, GCH CH Reidwood Artistic Vision, the American Foxhound, CH Kiarry's Eyes On The Prize At Caben, the Newfoundland, CH Rosewood's Royal Flush, the Skye Terrier, Faire Skyes Magical Piper, the French Bulldog, GCH CH Lionheart's Lulabelle At Amse, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Let Alone Creek Knight Trucker.

Tag, called JJ by his intimates, has been quite the prodigy, finishing his championship at just seven months old. We are going to enjoy watching this one grow. Congratulations to Barry, breeders Kristy and Kevin Ratliff, and owner Carolyn Koch.

It’s time for the Monday Morning Mop Up. Though we were able to get you results on 21 of the 41 all breed shows this past, we still have 20 to cover. Let’s start in Scarborough ME where the Vacationland Dog Club & the York County Kennel Club Of Maine teamed up for four shows. You can read about Thursday’s VDC show here.

Her Best was the Irish Terrier, Dodger. We first took notice of Dodger after he fought his way to the top of the Terrier Group at last October’s Hatboro Dog Club show over more than 1000 other Terriers. This is his first BIS this year. Congratulations to breeder Kelly Wamsler, owner Tony Barker, and handler Robert M Carusi.

GCH CH Hikay’s Witch with Attitude

Saturday was day two for the VDC. They asked Patti Widick Neale to choose a Best In Show from the above named Springer& Borzoi, the Akita, GCH CH Hikay’s Witch with Attitude, the Lakeland Terrier, GCH CH Larkspur Acadia Save Me a Spot, the Pug, GCH CH Foursquare I’ll Be a Showstopa Tu, the French Bulldog, GCH CH Bella Ridge Imperiale Shady Harbor Mafia Campcovo, and the Puli, GCH CH Fuzzy Farm Twist and Shout. Best In Show was the Akita, Brusha. It’s the second this year for Brusha, who hails from England.

GCH CH Wynmoor Champagne Supernova

(Photo by Jeffrey Hanlin)

David Kirkland closed the set Sunday for the YCKCM. The seven who stayed to the very end were the previously mentioned Springer, Borzoi, Akita, Lakeland, Pug, Frenchie, & Puli. It all ended as it started, with the Springer, Peyton, picking up his second big rosette of the set. Peyton and handler Robin Novack are climbed all the way up to the Number Four Dog All Breeds spot with eight BIS this year.

We think it’s appropriate that during the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs that one our dogs treat us to a hat trick. The Affenpinscher, GCH CH Banana Joe V Tani Kazari, did just that today finishing his trek through Long Island this weekend with his third consecutive BIS.

Today’s final was judged by Pamela Bruce who had the company of the Weimaraner, GCH CH Northwoods Send Money Honey, the Bloodhound, GCH CH Soonipi Friends In Low Places MLH, the Great Pyrenees, CH Pyrless No-Brainer, the Scottish Terrier, GCH CH Lomondview Clementina, the Affenpinscher, Joey, the Dalmatian, GCH CH Spotlight’s Ruffian, and a Shetland Sheepdog from the classes, Sunaire Fabulosity.

Joey’s 14th BIS of the year puts him in a virtual tie for Number One Toy Dog.

At the east end of Tennessee the Greater Kingsport Kennel Club finished up their weekend in the town of Gray with Randy Garren in the final ring with the German Wirehaired Pointer, GCH CH Reece Afterhours The Buck Stops Here JH, the 13“ B eagle, GCH CH Skyline‘s Dream Big, the Siberian Husky, GCH CH Trillium Blue‘s Raising the Bar, the Cairn Terrier, GCH CH Connacht A Ha'Penny Will Do, the Longcoat Chihuahua, GCH CH Grannycreeks One And Only Wild Bill, the French Bulldog, GCH CH Dub L-J Devine Springular Sensation, and the German Shepherd Dog, GCH CH Karizma’s Ike Of Edale.

Connie Clapp had the last call in Corunna MI today. The seven who stayed all day to see her were the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Cerise Dixieland Dutchman, the Longhaired Dachshund, GCH CH Hundelben Queen's Armada SL, the Kuvasz, GCH CH Szumeria’s Wildwood Silver Six Pence, the Airedale Terrier, CH Tailspur Longvue Ferris Bueller, the Havanese, GCH CH Janjems Party Animal, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Hillwood Ale Kai Walking On Air, and the Australian Shepherd, Thornapple Hellraiser.

Taking home the Genesee County Kennel Club's day two big rosette was the nation’s Number Three Dogs All Breeds, the Kuvasz, Tanner. Tanner is coming off a very busy week that included a BIS and his fourth consecutive national specialty title. Tanner’s ninth big rosette of 2012 will make our Top Three Dogs a very tight group.

The Blennerhassett Kennel Club has wrapped the four show weekend in Marietta OH. Check our archives for report on the first three days. Polly Smith had the final final and her pick of the Gordon setter, GCH CH Hollyhunt Take A Chance On Me, the American Foxhound, GCH CH Kiarry’s Pandora’s Foxhound, the Doberman Pinscher, GCH CH D‘s Remember When, the Border Terrier, GCH CH Meadowlake’s Simply Sinful, the Yorkshire Terrier, CH Annstef’s Gotta Dream, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Jaset’s Satisfaction, and the German Shepherd Dog, GCH CH Babheim’s Captain Crunch.

It was AKC’s Number Nine Dog All Breeds, the Poodle, London, picking up his 17th BIS of the year. Check back with us in a couple of days to find out if the win moves London up into the Number Eight spot.

Best went to the country’s Number Ten Dog All Breeds, the English Setter, Dazzle. Dazzle and has been in the Top Ten all year long. The six BIS & 21 Sporting Groups they’ve won this year should keep them there.

George Marquis was in Vallejo CA Saturday to choose a Best In Show for the Coyote Hill’s Kennel Club. His options were the Weimaraner, GCH CH Silhouette’s LifeInTheFastLane, the Irish Wolfhound, GCH CH Quest Deal With The Devil, the Tibetan Mastiff, GCH CH Dreamcatcher Major Victory Of Loki, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH Absolutley Out Of Sight, the Pug, CH Pine Cone's Dr. John of Frisco, the Lhasa Apso, GCH CH Xeralane’s Kid Rock, and the Beauceron, De Joie Du Chateau Rocher. Best went to the Weimaraner, Jimmie. It’s his first BIS this year in ten final appearances. Jimmie and handler Keith Paultz finished 2011 as the Number One Weimaraner and the Number Four Sporting Dog with eight BIS & 49 Sporting Groups. Congratulations to Keith and breeders/owner Cindy & Bruce Cassidy.

The Mt Baker Kennel Club is hosting two shows this weekend in Lynden WA. Yesterday’s final was called by Col Joe Purkhiser, whose final seven featured the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Darkover Don't Dream It's Over, the Redbone Coonhound, GCH CH Eskai’s Sir Kasper, the Newfoundland, CH Heartsease King Of The Jungle, the Miniature Bull Terrier, GCH CH Temris Bully for Me, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, GCH CH Full Of Malarkey Miles Of Aisles, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Brighton Lakeridge Encore, and the Bouvier des Flandres, GCH CH Quiche’s Intrepid Captain Sully.

His BIS was the Canadian Newfie, George. George’s first all breed Best comes just shy of his third birthday. Congratulations to breeder/owner Joan Casler, co-breeder Lynne Anderson, and handler Lisa Wright.

Our next report comes in from Abilene TX where the hometown kennel club is hosting three shows. Saturday was day two and George Boulton had the judges book for the final ring. The seven he saw were the ASCOB Cocker Spaniel, GCH CH Gazon Solar Eclipse, the Whippet, CH Starline's Oxford Victim of Love, the Giant Schnauzer, GCH CH Skansen‘s Harvard, the American Staffordshire Terrier, GCH CH Alpine’s ring of Fire, the Pomeranian, GCH CH Bar-Net Rocky Road Of Samron, the Keeshond, CH Ashbrook Mr. Chairman, and the Smooth Collie, GCH CH Travlers Pierce Arrow.

His Best was the Whippet, Hartley. The 15 month old bitch’s first all breed BIS came on just her third appearance in the final ring. Congratulations to breeders Angela Worden & Dianne Bowen, owners Lori & Carey Lawrence, and owner/handler Lori Wilson.

The Greater Kingsport Kennel Club closed their first day in Gray TN with Jean Fournier in the final ring. He lineup included the German Wirehaired Pointer, GCH CH Reece Afterhours The Buck Stops Here JH, the Whippet, Wildbriar Whimsical Of Longlesson, the Great Dane, GCH CH DRD's The Revelation, the Cairn Terrier, GCH CH Cyntus Twist N Shout, the Shih Tzu, Dolly's Thailand Land Of Smile, the Standard Poodle, Litilann´s Photo Finish, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Dalarno Nite Song At Morningstar.

The one she gave the big rosette was the Corgi, Spencer. It’s the second BIS in 20 final appearances this year. Persistence pays!

NUMBER EIGHT

NUMBER NINE

NUMBER TEN

SHOW INFO

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The author has been attending dog shows as a spectator and exhibitor for over 45 years. He is a retired management consultant who has advised multiple organizations affiliated with the AKC and the Cat Fanciers Association on business management, long range planning, customer service, and legislative matters. After 25 years of living in the big cities of New York, San Francisco, and Washington, DC, he now resides in his hometown of Memphis, TN.

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